A DMX infrastructure for the city

A natural evolution of the urban redevelopment project launched with the first phase, which introduced the “Palo Ceccarini” and a new visual language shaped by dynamic light, transparency and urban scenography, the transformation of public lighting along Riccione’s most iconic pedestrian avenue now continues. The new concept has been extended to the intersection with Viale Dante, further reinforcing the avenue’s contemporary identity.

The original idea was to turn light into a true urban language. At the heart of the project is the aforementioned “Palo Ceccarini”: a multifunctional architectural element with a minimalist design, standing 5 metres tall and featuring four arms with downward-facing LED sources. This configuration helps reduce light pollution while ensuring visual consistency. Each pole integrates decorative lighting, sound distribution, video surveillance and misting systems for summer microclimate management.

In terms of lighting effects, each pole incorporates DMX-controlled RGB modules capable of producing colour variations, dynamic effects and smooth transitions, including the distinctive “breathing effect”. Alongside the poles, the flowerbeds feature small point light sources — known as “fireflies” — which pulse and move in sync, creating depth and movement.

The entire system is managed by Visual Productions devices: CueCore3 as the DMX/Ethernet controller; RDM Node and RDM Splitter for DMX signal distribution and bidirectional monitoring; and B-Station 2 as physical control panels for recalling scenes, sequences and event modes. This architecture enables fully dynamic lighting control, programmable around seasons, holidays, events and tourist flows, with the option to update or expand the system over time.

The project, which began last year and has a total value of €10 million, confirms the ambition to create an “urban living room” combining design, sustainability and immersive technologies. In continuity with the first phase, this new section was also implemented with a Visual Productions-based control system. Antonioli S.r.l., a company based in Forlì, was responsible for the physical installation of the system and the integration of the Visual Productions devices. Bordoni Group of Riccione, specialising in the design and installation of integrated audio, video and lighting systems, was involved in the installation and construction of the technical control cabinets.

This made it possible to ensure colour consistency, synchronisation and centralised management across the entire lighting route.

The challenge

This installation involved a series of technical and design challenges, primarily related to the need to ensure continuity with the first phase while maintaining the aesthetic and functional consistency of the entire pedestrian avenue.

The new section of the avenue, larger and more complex in layout, required a more advanced DMX distribution system capable of managing a greater number of lighting points while ensuring maximum reliability across long cable runs. It was essential to provide a scalable system, ready for future expansion and able to operate 24/7 in a high-traffic public area exposed to weather conditions and intensive use during events, holidays and peak tourist periods.

The project also includes further phases scheduled between the end of this year and early 2027, making a modular and easily expandable control platform essential. Work is currently on hold to avoid disrupting the summer tourist season. The redevelopment will resume in September with interventions in the small square and along Viale Gramsci, before reaching final completion in spring 2027.

In summary, the challenge was to replicate the lighting identity established in the first section while extending it with future developments in mind: the same scenic quality, the same smooth colour transitions and the same ability to transform the avenue into a distinctive, immersive urban environment.

The solution

To ensure technical and visual continuity with the first section, the second phase was also implemented with a control infrastructure based on Visual Productions devices, programmed and configured by Event Consulting Group S.r.l. of Porto Recanati.

This second phase introduced additional Visual Productions devices, natively integrated with the equipment already installed during the first phase, allowing the system to be extended without any interruption in operation or consistency.

The system now includes:

• 2 × RdmNode units for DMX distribution and bidirectional device management

 

• 7 × RdmSplitter units to split, protect and stabilise the DMX lines along the entire avenue

 

• 2 × B-Station 2 units, physical control panels for recalling lighting scenes and event modes.

 

Thanks to this architecture, the Visual Productions system synchronously controls all the poles and illuminated flowerbeds along the new section, reproducing the dynamic effects introduced during the first phase: colour variations, modulated intensity, “breathing” effects and seasonal lighting scenes.

The results

The second section of Viale Ceccarini completes the transformation of the avenue into a coherent, elegant and immersive lighting route, where light becomes a narrative element. It accompanies residents and visitors, enhances the urban design and creates a distinctive visual identity along the entire pedestrian axis.

In summary, the adoption of Visual Productions technologies has made it possible to achieve:

• Colour consistency between the first and second sections
• Precise synchronisation of lighting scenes
• 24/7 reliability
• Scalability for the future expansions already planned
• Simplified management through B-Station 2
• RDM monitoring for predictive maintenance and rapid intervention

Event Consulting Group commented: “This second section of the Viale Ceccarini lighting project confirms the strength of the Visual Productions system. We integrated the new devices seamlessly with the equipment already installed, thanks to a modular and scalable platform. Despite the complexity of the project and the different phases planned over the coming months, control remains reliable, precise and easy to manage.”

In conclusion, the use of Visual Productions devices made it possible to extend the project without disruption, maintaining the same visual impact and operational flexibility that characterised the first phase. The result is an avenue that develops into one cohesive, immersive and recognisable experience, accompanying residents and visitors along a lighting route that evolves with the seasons, events and the life of the city itself.

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